Dovetailing-machine.



No. 651,946. Patented June I9, 1900. J. E; ERIGKSON.

DOVETAILING MACHINE.

(Application filed May 25, 1899.)

(No Model.)

4 Sheets-Sheet -2.

WPfZwase W W Patented lurie 19, I900.

.1. E. ER'I CKSON, DOVETAILING MACHINE.

(Application filed m 25, 1809.;

4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

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12% a %iff m: NoRms PETERS (.0, mmmnwou WASHINGTON. u. c.

No. 65,946. Patented June; I9, I900.

J. E; ERICKSON.

DOVETAILING MACHINE. (Application flied May 25, 1899.)

(No Model.) 4 Shuts-Sheet 4.

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PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN E. ERICKSON, or sr. PAUL, MINNESOTA.

DOVETAlLING-MACHINE-Zf SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 651,946, dated. J'un 19, 1900. Application filed May 25, 1899. Serial No. 718,137. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN E. ERIOKSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Paul, in the county of Ramsey and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Dovetailing Machines, ofwhich the following is a specification.

My invention relates to the type of (lovetailing-machines illustrated by Patent No. 535,492, issued March 12, 1895, to John Leonartson and myself, in which the dovetails or mortises with receding sides are formed in the ends of boards carried on a reciprocating table, which cooperates with two sets of cutters of successively-increasing diameters and in which the tenons are formed in boards on a stationary table by the diagonal reciprocations of two sets of cutters of equal diameters. In the machine of the patent referred to the cutting of mortises was done only during the upward movement of the reciprocating table, and tenons were out only during the downward thrusts of the cutter-carriers, the respective driving-cranks making complete revolutions before stopping.

It is one of the objects of the present improvements to so organize the operating mechanisms that they will stop automatically at each half-throw of the cranks, and thus enable cutting to be done at each reciprocation of the table in the one. instance and of the saws in the other.

A further object of the improvements'is to provide devices operating automatically both to clamp the boards, in place on the tables during the cutting operation and release them upon completion of the cutting.

Other improvements relate to convenient means for adjustment of parts for holding boards of different thicknesses, means for adj usting the board-guides relative to the saws, and other details of structure, all of which improvements tend to greatly increase the capacity of the machine for turning out finished work.

As the purpose of the machine is to prepare boards for making boxes, and especially to enable low-grade lumber to be used for packing-boxes and other cheap boxes, the importance of such improvements as facilitate the work, increase the output, and better adapt the machine to successfully operate upon the cheaper grades of material is apparent."

The improvements are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a side elevation of the improved dovetailing-machine. Fig. 2 shows an elevation of the opposite end of the machine at which tenons are formed, the table being swung to one side to show more clearly the interior mechanisms. Fig. 3 is a plan View showing in outline the general arrangement of the mechanisms for reciprocating the table and saws, respectively. Fig. 4 is a detached view of devices employed at the tenou-forming end of the machine for controlling the board-clamping devices. Fig. 5 is a detached view of devices employed for adjusting a movable portion of the table and the clamp as required for boards of diiferent thicknesses.

Figs. 6, 7, and 8 are details of the devices comprising the adjustable portion of the ta-.

ble; and Fig. 9 is a detached view of a portion of the friction and brake devices used in starting and stopping the saw and table reciprocating mechanisms.

In the drawings, 1 designates the machineframe, 2 the main driving-shaft, and 3 the pulley thereon, connected with a source of power. For driving the arbors of the tenoncutters, which are at the same end of the machine as the shaft 2, pulleys on the latter shaft are connected by belts 4 and 5, respectively, with pulleys 6 and 7 on shafts 8 and 9 at the opposite end of the machine, and from pulleys 10 and 11 on the latter shafts, respectively, belts 12 and 13 are run to pulleys l4 and 15 on shafts 16 and 17 near the top of the frame, and from pulleys 18 and 19 on the latter shafts belts 20 and 21, respectively, are run to the pulleys 22 and 23 on the upper and lower saw-arbors '24; and 25. The saw-arbors 26 and 27 at the other end of the machine are rotated by belts 28 and 29 on pulleys 30 and 31, connected with overhead shafting. .(Not shown.)

The saws 32 on the arbors 26 and 27 are cir- ICO plane and are placed in such positions relative to each other and to the bed that they may cut dovetail mortises by two successive cuts, as referred to in my former patent.

The cutters 33 on the arbor-s 24 and 25 are of equal diameters and are preferably circular saws separated by Washers or otherwise suitably spaced and secured. The upper arbor 24 is mounted on a frame or sash 34, arranged .to slide in angularly-arranged guides 35, provided on the main frame, and the arbor 25 is similarly mounted on a sash 36, arranged to A bar 3'8 is con- 58 in ahorizontal bar 59, which extends to the'end of the machine and is pivoted to an arm 60 on a rocking rod 61, mounted transversely in the lower portion of the frame end. To this rod is attached a foot-lever 62 in convenient position to be operated by a workman at the end of the machine. Pressure on this foot-lever serves to actuate the bar 59 lengthwise, and by engagement of the notch 58 in the bar with the lug 57 on the lever 53 turns the latter on this pivot sufliciently to cause contact of the twofriction-wheels. It is obvious that so long as the friction-wheels are in contactthe saw-sash reciprocations would continue, but stopping devices, operating automatically at suitable intervals, -are proments will be made in unison. A pitman 4U is pivoted atoneend to the sash 36 and at its opposite end to acrank-arm 41 on a shaft 42, that is mounted in bearings on the base portion of the machine-frame and extends centrally inward. A complete rotation of this shaft will obviouslycause one downward and one upward reciprocation of the connected frames and the saws they carry.

bearings on the base member of the n1achineframe. Thus the rotation of the frictionwheel 49 causes the rotation of the shaft-rug and :ge'ari'ng just described, and thereby opcrates the crank 41 to reciprocate the sawframes 34 and 36. 7

ley 52, which is belted to a pulleyon the main driving-shaft v2, whereby the shaft51 and the friction-Wheel it carries are kept in constant rotation. The shaft 51 is mounted on the angular arm of a lever-frame 53, that is piv-.'

otedat 54 toa portion of the machine-frame and extends'downward near the face of the pulley 49 to-a point at the side of the base of the machine-frame. On the side of the lever 53, adjacent the friction-wheel 49, is formed or secured a brake-shoe 55 for engagingthat wheel to stop its revolution. A spring 56, suitably arranged on the "side of the frame 1, normally exerts tension-against the lower portion of the lever and presses the brake against thew-heel49. Movementof this portion of the lever in direction away from the wheel serves to free the brake and at the same time by reason of the angularity of the lever and its-pivotal connectionswings the shaft of the driving friction-wheel downward and brings the'two friction-wheels in contact, and thus theg'earin g for producing reciprocation of the saw=frames is set in motion. I

The lower end of the lever 53 is provided with a Ilug or catch 57 for engaging a notch video to prevent such continuous reciprocatory movement-s.

On the shaft'42 is a disk 63, having at two diametrically-opposite points projections 64 for engaging a lever 65 to depress it whenever the projections come in con-tact with it. This lever is fulcrumed to a bracket 66, and its outer arm extends beneath the longitudi- V n'al bar 59 and in position to lift it/when the On the inner-end of the shaft 42 is a beveled inner end of the lever is depressed by the projections on the disk 63. This lifting of the bar 59 frees its notch 58 from the catch 57 on the friction and brakelever-, and thus permits the spring 56 to exert its'force against the lever to free the friction and apply the brake. As thec'am projections 64 are at op- .posite'sides of the disk it is apparent that the operation of the controlled "mechanism will continue 'onlyduringa half-revolution of the disk and that the succeeding cam engagement will depress the engaged lever, and

thereby actuate the brake to stop 'fnrther movements. To renew the operation,the footlever must be released and returned to its elevated position, which is done by the force of a spring (not shown) connected in anywellknow-n way. When so raised, the bar 59'is again in proper position to engage the catch in the friction-carrying lever 53 upon depression of the foot-lever. The devices "at both ends of the machine for controlling the reciprocations of the saws in one instance and those of the table in the other aresubstanti-ally the same,-and the-same reference-hunt bers are used for corresponding parts in both mechanisms.

The tables 67 at the opposite ends of the machine are similar ingeneral structure and arrangement, the one being arranged to reci-procate vertically and the other to remain stationary, but adapted to be swung laterally on hinges, as shown in Fig. '2, to give access to the saws and other'in-te'rior parts.

The reciprocating table (used in connection with the dovetailing-saws) is supported by a bracket-frame '68, having loose sleeves 69 on vertical guide-rods 70, that extend from the bottom to the top of the frame 1. On the outer end of the shaft 42 is a crank-disk 71, and to a pin 72 thereon and to the underside of the table 67 a pitman 73 is connected, so

that a throw of the crank will reciprocate the table upward on the rods 70 from the position shown in Fig. lto a point above the saws, where it will be stopped by the brake by the operation of the cam 63 on the brake connections. After a release of the foot-lever and subsequent pressure upon it the renewal of the crank movement will retract the table to its lower position, where it will be again arrested in the same manner.

The boards to be out can be placed in proper position on the table by means of a guide 74, that prevents lateral movement and which is adjustable laterally on the table by set-screws 75,-that pass through slots in its base, and other guides 76 at right angles to the former and adjacent to the saws, which limit inward movement of the boards. are upward-tapering projections on bars 77 and are of proper size and suitably spaced to pass freely through the interstices between the saws. These bars are of T shape in crosssection, Fig. 8, and are held together in aseries by intermediate flat strips 78 and underlying strips 79, that may have flanges, on which the bases of the bars 77 rest, and the strips 78 and 79 are clamped together by bolts andfurnish ways for the lengthwise movement of the guide-bars 77; The whole series of bars and strips are placed in a frame 80. The outer end of each of these bars is adjustably secured by a set-screw 81 to a movable cross-piece 82. Thus each guide-bar by freeing its-set-screw may be independently removed or adjusted, and the series may be adjusted lengthwise in unison by movement of the piece 82. The latter adjustment is made by a screw engaging the frame and bar 82 and operated by a nut or wheel 83. The inner ends of the strips 78 are cutaway, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, to provide projections 84, corresponding with those remaining on the boards when the dovetails or tenons are formed, and such projections serve as supports for the edge of the board while it is being cut to prevent portions from being broken or torn off by the saws. The adjustable table-section thus built up and its frame 80 are placed in a corresponding recess 85in the table-bed 67.

Boards are held in place on the table by a clamping-bar 86, suspended by screws 87 from the cross-piece of a clamp-frame 88 above the table. Ways 89 are provided to guide the ends of the bar, so that its position relative to the table can be adjusted as desired by turning the screw 87. From the under sides of this frame rods 90 extend downward through openings in the table and carry springs 91, which bear against the under side of the table and against nuts on the ends of the rods, thereby tending to draw the clamping-frame downward toward the table. Further movementof the table downward from the position shown in Fig. 1 will cause the ends of the clamp-frame to strike stops 92 on the frame 1 and remain stationary, while the The latter guides chine where the tenons are formed is hinged j by knuckles 97 to a rod 98, so that, it may be swung to one side, as indicated in Fig. 2.

table will descend to the limit allowed by the throw of the pitman 73, and so the space between the clamp-bar 86 and the table will be widened to release the board for removal.

Upon the upward reciprocation similar adjustable stops 93 near the top of the frame serve to arrest the movement of the outer ends of levers 94, the inner ends of which are, pivoted at 95 to the frame 88 and are intermediately fulcrumed on lugs 96 on the table. The obvious effect will be the separation of the table and clamp in the same manner as when the clamp-frame itself engages the lower stops in its downward movement. The stops 92 and 93 are adjustable up and down to regulate the extent of separation of the clamp and f table as desired.

The table at the opposite end of the ma:

When in working position, the portion of the table opposite its hinged connection is bolted to a bracket 99, supportedby a rod 100.

This bracket is hinged on the rod so that it may be swung outward when not in use, as indicated in Fig. 2, to give better access to the interior parts. As the saws at this end of the machine reciprocate diagonally, it is necessary that the table be in a proper plane relative to the intersections of the planes of the movements of the saws in their reciprocations, so that the saws of the secondseries will pass through the kerfs at the one surface of the board that were out by the saws of the first series. To enable the initial adjustment of the table to such position to be made, a hand'wheel 101 on the rod 98, which has a screw-threaded portion 102, may be turned to raise or lower the bed to the extent necessary, and afterward if from wear of parts or other cause it be found necessary to make slight vertical adjustment of the table it may be done in the same way.

The parts having been arranged for the cutting of lumber of a given thickness, to suitably change their positions for thicker or thinner boards the table and clamping device should be adjusted in opposite directions to an equal extent. This is done in reference to the clamp by turning the screws 87, and the corresponding adjustment of the table is effected by the raising or lowering of the adjustable portion carried by the frame 80 within the table-recess 85. For this purpose cams 103 on shafts 104, journaled in hangers 105 atthe under side of the main table-frame, support the adjustable tableframe 80. To these shafts are attached arms 106, that are connected by bars 107, and to the end of one of the shafts 104: a hand-lever 108 is attached and, is provided with a catch 109 for looking it at any desired point of adjustment on a segment 110, projecting from the upper portion of the frame 1. The move ment of the lever-handle toward oraway from the machine serves to raise or lower the ad- ICC ju'st'able table to the extent desired, and when thelever-handle is locked the parts will be held in position.

For the purpose of raising the clampingbar 86, so that boards can be freely inserted or removed while the reciprocating saws are stationary, there is provided an arrangement ,of levers to be operated by the same camdisk 63 that serves to stop the saw reciprocations. Upon the completion of a thrust a cam projection 64'engages the lower arm of a lever 111, that is fast to a rod 112, fulcrumed in the machine-frame, and carries on it an upper-angular arm 112*, which bears against the outer side of a depending lever-frame. The lower arm 113 of this frame has the upper end of a strip 114 attached to its side and an adjusting-screw 115 for varying the distance of the lower end of the strip from the arm to regulate the'extent of the inward movement of the arm 113 caused by the throw of lever 112*. The lever 113 is "fuler'umed to the table-frame at 116 and has a lateral arm 117'. -A bar 118 has one end pivote'd' to the lever 113 and its other end pivoted' to'the lower arm of a 1ever'1-19, that is fulerumed to the table-frame at 120 and has a lateral arm 121 on a level with the arm 117 of the lever 113. It is apparent that depression of the lower end' of the lever 111 will 'swingthe upper arm 112 inward, and

thereby rock the connected levers 113 and 119 on their fulcrums and correspondingly elevate their lateral arms 117 and 121. To utilize such movements for lifting the clamp from the board, pins 122, secured on the under side of the clamp-frame 88, are extended downward through holes in the table to points where they are engaged by the lever-arms 117 and 121 in their upward movements, and the clamp-frame is thereby lifted. In normal position the clamp-frame rests in seats 123 on the table-bed. r

The saws 33, their frames 34 and 36, and the connected reciprocating parts are counterpoised by a weight (not shown) attached to the lower end of a rope 124, which runs over a grooved pulley 125 at the top of the machirre and is connected to the frame 34 or 36, whereby the work of the driving-crank 41 is lessened.

To maintain uniform distances between the saw-arbors and the shafts that drive them during the vertical reciprocations of the former, radius-rods 126 are connected at their outer ends to the saw-frames and at their innor ends by forked arms 127 to the sides of the swingingiframes 128 and 129, respectively,

upon which-the shafts 16 and 17 are journaled. The lower portions of the frames 128 nected at 132 and 133 to the arms of the ra dius-rods they are capable of rocking moveunvaryi'ng distance between the parts they connect. I 1

To cut tenons, a board having been placed on the table with a lateral edge against the guide 74 and the inner edge against the guides 7 6, the clamp-bar 86 being at the time face of the disk 63, which movement permits the springs 91 to pull the clamp-frame downward and clamp the board on the table. Further rotation of the shaft 42 will reciprocate the saws in their diagonal courses and cause them to cut tenons with beveled sides, each tenon being separately supported atthe under side and protected from being broken or torn -by the saws by means of one of theprojections84 or a guide-bar 77. When the limit of a reciprocation is reached, the second cam 64 will have engaged the levers and 111, and the actuation of' the former lover will cause the separation of the friction-wheels and application of the brake, and the actuation of the latter lever serves to lift the clamp 'fromfthe board.

To form the dovetail mortises, the board is placed on the other table and guided and supported in the same manner. Upon depression of the foot-lever the brake is released and the friction -wheels brought together, thereby starting the rotation of the crankshaft and the reciprocation'of the table, the immediate effect of which is to release the clamp-frame from the stops 92 or 93 and permit the clamp-bar to descend to the board and hold it in place. the limit of its reciprocation, the stops 92 or 93 are again engaged and the clamp-bar lifted, and coincidently one of the cams'64 depresses the lever 65, and the movementof the latter releases the foot-lever connection with the brake-lever and permits the brake to be applied to the friction-wheel to stop the operating machinery and hold it in placefor the removal of the board.

The improvements shown and described relative to the mechanisms for forming the dovetail mortises are not made the subject of claim herein, but are claimed in a pending divisional applicatiomserial No. 724, 9l4,filed July 24, 1899.

What I claim herein is-- 1. In a dovetailing-machi'ne, the combination with a stationary table and clamping devices for holding boards in place thereon, of guides and cutter-carrying frames therein, mechanism for reciprocating said frames to cause the cutters to engage the boards, a system of levers for lifting the clamp from the As the table approaches IIO ments, while the rods serve to maintain an board, a cam operated by said reciprocating mechanism to actuate said levers as the completion of each reciprocation is neared; and brake devices arranged to be coincidently set in operation by the same cam movement to stop the reciprocating mechanism, substantially as set forth.

2. In a dovetailing-machine, a stationary table, vertically-movable clamping devices thereon for holding boards in place, cuttercarriers, mechanism for reciprocating them past the table to cause the cutters to engage the boards,a cam operated bysaid mechanism, levers actuated by said cam for periodically lifting the clamp from the board, and brake devices arranged to be set in operation by the same cam movementto stop the reciprocating mechanism, substantially as set forth.

3. In a dovetailing-machine, the combination with connected cutter-carrying frames arranged to travel in diagonal courses, and a work-holder suitably fixed relative to the travel of the cutters; of a pitman and crank for reciprocating said frames; gearing, in cluding an idle friction-wheel, for intermittently rotating the crank; a driving frictionwheel, a brake, and a rocking carrier therefor arranged to apply them alternately to the idle friction-wheel; an operating-lever and connections for engaging the carrier at will to bring the friction-wheels to contact; a tripping-lever for automatically releasing the connections to allow the carrier to rock in opposite direction to apply the brake; and a cam operated by the driving-gear to actuate the tripping-lever at each half-revolution of the crank, substantially as set forth.

4. In a dovetailing-machine, the combina tion with connected cutter-carrying frames arranged to travel in diagonal courses, and a work-holder suitably fixed relative to the travel of the cutters; of a pitman and crank for reciprocating said frames; gearing, including an idle friction-wheel, for intermittently rotating the crank; a driving frictionwheel, a brake, and a rocking carrier therefor arranged to apply them alternately to the idle friction-wheel; an operating-lever and connections for engaging the carrier at will to bring the friction-wheels to contact; a spring for rocking the carrier in opposite direction to apply the brake; a tripping-lever for automatically releasing said connections to permit the spring to so operate; and a cam operated by the driving-gear to actuate the tripping-lever at each half-revolution of the crank, substantially as set forth.

5. In a dovetailing-m-achine, a stationary table; vertically-movable clamping devices thereon for holding boards in place; cuttercarriers; a crank and gearing, including an idle friction-wheel, for rotating it; a driving friction-wheel, a brake and a rocking carrier therefor arranged to apply them alternately to the idle friction-wheel; an operating-lever and connections for engaging the carrier at will to bring the friction-Wheels to contact; a tripping-lever for automatically releasing the connections to allow the carrier to rock in opposite direction to apply the brake; a cam operated by the driving-gear to actuate the tripping-lever at each half-revolution of the crank; and lever devices arranged to be operated by the same cam movement to lift the clamp from the board, substantially as set forth.

6. In a dovetailing-machine, the combination with the main frame, diagonal guides and reciprocating cutter-carriers; of a tableframe, and an upright rod having a screwthreaded portion and arranged to vertically adjust and pivotally support the table-frame to allow it to swing laterally, substantially as set forth.

7. In a dovetailing-machine, the combination with reciprocating saw-carriers and a fixed table; of a clamp-carrying frame mounted on the table, a vertically-adj ustable clampbar supported by said frame, a vertically-adjustable table-section underlying said bar, and a system of levers, shafts and cams for adjusting such table-section, whereby variations of the space between the clamp-bar and adjustable table-section may be apportioned as desired above and below a selected plane, substantially as set forth.

8. In a dovetailing-machine, the combination with reciprocating saw-carriers and a fixed table having a central recess; of a supplemental table-sectionin such recess, cams supporting the table-section, shafts carrying the cams, and levers for operating the cams to adjust the table-section in vertical direction, substantially as set forth.

9. In a dovetailing-machine, the combination with reciprocating saw-carriers and a fixed table having a central recess; of a vertically and longitudinally adjustable tablesection in such recess; a frame, cams, shafts and levers for supporting the table-section and adjusting it in vertical direction, and a screw for adjusting it in its frame toward or away from the saws, substantially as set forth.

10. In a dovetailing-machine, the combination with reciprocating saw-carriers and a fixed table having a central recess; of a vertically and longitudinally adjustable tablesection in such recess; said table-section comprising a frame, guide-bars and intermediate strips adj ustably clamped together and supported in the frame; and devices arranged to support such table-section and to adjust it vertically and toward or away from the saws, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 19th day of May, 1899.

JOHN E. ERIOKSON.

In presence of ERICK H. ERICKSON, P. H. GUNoKnL. 

